“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10
Betty Ruth Treadway Tester, age 89, formerly of the Embreeville community, went home to her eternal reward on Monday, November 18, 2019 at her home at Governor’s Bend Assisted Living Facility surrounded by her family. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, and a humble servant of God, and she lived her life in preparation and anticipation of this day.
She was born on November 1, 1930 in Washington County, Tennessee and was a 1948 graduate of Lamar High School. She, along with her best friend Betty Ann Storey, were the only two remaining charter members of the Embreeville Church of Christ, where she served her Lord faithfully for over 70 years. In addition to caring for her family, she was a former employee of Hoover Ball & Bearing Company in Erwin. She also provided care for several extended family members in her home.
She was a lifetime member of both the Order of the Eastern Star Unicoi / Erwin chapter #276 and the Lamar Ruritan Club.
She was preceded in death by her father, James Sherrill Treadway; her mother, Fern Miller Treadway; her husband of 57 years, Carroll Tester; an infant son, Richard Stephen Tester; her sisters, Madeline Deaton and Lois Keplinger; and her brother Clyde Keplinger.
She is survived by two sons, Michael Tester and wife, Star, of Jonesborough, and Pat Tester and wife, Angie, of Telford; three grandchildren, Robert Tester and wife, Whitney, of Johnson City, and Kaylee Tester and Connor Tester of Telford; a nephew, Terry Deaton, and several extended family members, neighbors, and friends. She had a special bond with her Lamar high school basketball teammates, Betty Ann Storey, Peggy Cloyd, Roxie Lowe, Isabel Slonaker, and Gertrude Johnson, with whom she shared a monthly lunch (and many laughs) for numerous years.
The family will receive friends Friday, November 22, 2019, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Embreeville Church of Christ, 4343 Highway 81 South, Erwin, Tennessee. The funeral service will be held at the church at approximately 8:00 PM (or upon the conclusion of the visitation) with Kevin Holley, Scott Phillips, and Charles Fitzsimmons officiating. The graveside service will be held Saturday, November 23, 2019, at 10:00 AM at the New Victory Baptist Church Cemetery, 527 Conklin Road, Jonesborough, Tennessee.
Active pallbearers will be Earl Beals, Rick Broyles, Jeff Lane, Ronnie Mullins, Jim Peterson, Jack Phillips, Richard Storey, Terry Tittle, and Vaughn Tucker. Honorary pallbearers will be members of her Sunday School class and special friends, J. J. Casey and David Yates.
Thanks to the many family members and friends who have been so caring and giving during this difficult time. A special thanks for their outstanding and loving care to the past and present staff of Governor’s Bend Assisted Living Facility (where she had lived for the past seven years) and the staff of Amedisys Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Embreeville Church of Christ.
Condolences may be sent to the Tester family online at www.dillow-taylor.com.
Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Jonesborough, TN 753-3821
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15